Wolves lose three in free agency

Posted: 08/04/2014, 06:09am | BY BRIAN SANDALOW
For Sun-Times Media

The Wolves have had several free-agent defections since the market opened.

Defenseman and captain Taylor Chorney signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Chorney, the ninth captain in team history, spent one season with the Wolves. In 69 games, he had five goals and 20 assists.

Also Tuesday, forward Adam Cracknell signed with the Los Angeles Kings, and Alexandre Bolduc joined the Arizona Coyotes organization.

Meanwhile, defenseman Brent Regner re-signed with the parent-club Blues after playing 63 games with the Wolves last season. The Blues also added forward Phil McRae on a two-way deal.

What a start

When the Sky lost guard Courtney Vandersloot to a knee injury, it meant more responsibility and playing time for rookie Jamierra Faulkner. A third-round pick out of Southern Mississippi, Faulkner responded with 27 points in her first start to help the Sky beat the Sparks 90-83 on Tuesday.

“I am taking on a big role,” Faulkner said. “It’s a big change because of the different things that I have to learn. Courtney Vandersloot has been helping me a lot.”

Still a chance

English club Tottenham Hotspur, which visits the Fire on July 26 at Toyota Park, has five players left in the World Cup: Brazil’s Paulinho, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli and Moussa Dembele.

Whether any of them will face the Fire is unclear. After a long club season and prolonged Cup run, the Spurs might want to rest the players after they return from Brazil.